Pros And Cons Of Horizontal Gene Transfer
Imagine the ability to be able to change your genetics with others, such as your friends, family, or even a random stranger you see walking down the street. Bacteria have the ability to do this. Through the processes of transformation, transduction, and conjugation bacteria are able to exchange DNA and as a result increasing genetic variety. “In transformation, the recipient bacterium takes up extracellular donor DNA. In transduction, donor DNA packaged in a bacteriophage infects the recipient bacterium. In conjugation, the donor bacterium transfers DNA to the recipient by mating.” Horizontal gene transfer also allows bacteria to acquire new DNA, but keep in mind that; “Horizontal Gene Transfer (HGT) is beneficial to a cell if the acquired
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These benefits include, very efficient transfer of a small region, an excellent source of DNA for the chromosomal region carried by the phage, and since every phage carries the same DNA it can often be used to select for deletions of some of the chromosomal genes carried on the phage. Another benefit of changing bacteria’s DNA is that you can change it in the lab and as a result; ”Bacteria are commonly used as host cells for making copies of DNA in the lab because they are easy to grow in large numbers. Their cellular machinery naturally carries out DNA replication and protein synthesis.” Not only do they allow scientist to use them as host cells but they are also, (Bacteria are) incredibly versatile organisms that have the unique ability to take in foreign DNA and replicate (or copy) it. This gives them an evolutionary advantage and helps them survive changes in their environment. For example, bacteria can acquire DNA that makes them resistant to antibiotics.”
This seems good until we see that bacteria has started to become resistant to antibiotics,as stated above. The increased genetic variety has caused a lot of problems in the medical world and with medicine. Bacteria are always seeming to evolve and the quick evolution of bacteria may soon bring the end of antibiotics. To ensure that they stop this from happening there are some steps and precautions doctors are taking and instructions you can follow as well when you are prescribed
These benefits include, very efficient transfer of a small region, an excellent source of DNA for the chromosomal region carried by the phage, and since every phage carries the same DNA it can often be used to select for deletions of some of the chromosomal genes carried on the phage. Another benefit of changing bacteria’s DNA is that you can change it in the lab and as a result; ”Bacteria are commonly used as host cells for making copies of DNA in the lab because they are easy to grow in large numbers. Their cellular machinery naturally carries out DNA replication and protein synthesis.” Not only do they allow scientist to use them as host cells but they are also, (Bacteria are) incredibly versatile organisms that have the unique ability to take in foreign DNA and replicate (or copy) it. This gives them an evolutionary advantage and helps them survive changes in their environment. For example, bacteria can acquire DNA that makes them resistant to antibiotics.”
This seems good until we see that bacteria has started to become resistant to antibiotics,as stated above. The increased genetic variety has caused a lot of problems in the medical world and with medicine. Bacteria are always seeming to evolve and the quick evolution of bacteria may soon bring the end of antibiotics. To ensure that they stop this from happening there are some steps and precautions doctors are taking and instructions you can follow as well when you are prescribed